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Iago
[Yago or E-a'-go]. Othello's ensign or
ancient. He hated the Moor both because Cassio, a Florentine, was
preferred to the lieutenancy instead of himself, and also from a
suspicion that the Moor had tampered with his wife; but he concealed
his hatred so well that Othello wholly trusted him. Iago persuaded
Othello that Desdemona intrigued with Cassio, and urged him on till he
murdered his bride. His chief argument was that Desdemona had given
Cassio a pocket-handkerchief, the fact being that Iago had set on his
wife to purloin it. After the death of Desdemona, Emilia (Iago's wife)
revealed the fact, and Iago was arrested.
Shakespeare generally makes three syllables of the name, as -
Let it not gall your patience, good I-a-go.
Left in the conduct of the bold I-a-go. ii.2.
'Tis one I-a-go, ancient to the general.
Iambic Father of Iambic verse. Archilochos of Paros (B.C. 714-676).
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Iago from Infoplease:
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